Hello, beautiful friends! If you stopped by on Tuesday to see two super easy mirror makeovers, you know that I’ve spent the last couple of days getting my Halloween flare on. I am almost done! So today, I’m pulling out an old favorite all about painting a silver plated tray.
I had this gorgeous, ornate silver plated tray that I paid $9.95 for for a couple of years before I redid it:
It was finally time to do something with it.
Painting a Silver Plated Tray
Clean
The first thing I did was give this silver plated tray a good cleaning with White Lightning. It is a degreaser and a deglosser and will remove anything you don’t want that may have accumulated over the years.
Prep the Metal Surface for Paint
Then, I reached for Slick Stick, which has since been replaced by Bonding BOSS. The new version combines both the bonding primer in Slick Stick with the stain blocking primer in Bonding BOSS. It is specially formulated to help paint to adhere to non-porous surfaces such as metal, glass, laminate, etc.
Bonding BOSS requires a 24 hour dry time before painting, so let your piece sit for 24 hours.
(I did it at the same time as I was painting this mirror, which had a thick lacquered finish.)
Ready for paint
This silver plated tray is now prepped and ready for paint!
Usually, my favorite way to paint these trays, especially when they have all this delicious detail, is to use chalk paint and then shabby them up, highlighting the detail.
However, I chose Conch for this piece instead, a beautiful Silk Mineral Paint color, to give it a softer look.
I used my Best Dang Brush to apply the paint to all those details:
This is typically used to apply wax, but the large, flat head works amazingly well on those ornate areas. (Just be sure to rinse it out soon after you’re finished painting for easier clean-up.) The Belle Brush is smaller and the mop head on that works well also.
I used a regular brush to paint the underside, but I actually brushed out the rest of the top with the Best Dang Brush also:
I allowed it to dry for two hours and then added my second coat.
Seal
Trick! There is no need to seal the Silk Mineral paint since it has a built-in topcoat, so that was it! Be sure to use your pieces with care for about the first three weeks until the finish has had enough time to fully cure.
Adding some bling
Once it was completely dry, I pulled out my Gold Gilding Wax to give it a little shimmer.
I just used my finger to apply it to all the raised areas:
I used a glove since the gilding wax is oil-based.
The result
This tray has a much softer look now…
This would be perfect in a bedroom or even a baby’s nursery, holding all those baby essentials.
The gilding wax adds just a hint of bling…
This would be pretty with the silver version too!
Do y’all remember this mirror?
I combined three pieces to create one larger mirror. You can see more of that HERE.
I will be back on Tuesday with my Trash-to-Treasure ladies sharing with this already painted basket:
UPDATE: See how sweet this basket looks now HERE!
Have a wonderful weekend!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
I remember when you did this tray, I also remember how beautiful it turned out! I love this color, and it would be beautiful in my Granddaughters bedroom!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! It would be so sweet in a baby’s room, and in fact, I believe the buyer was a local reader who purchased it for her own granddaughter’s room! XOXO
Kathy W says
Christy – I have been searching for a silver tray ever since seeing your makeover in conch and gold gilding wax. I absolutely love the conch color. I have used the gold gilding wax before. It is a great product for highlighting details. Anyway, I love the tray!!! Thanks for reminding me that I need to keep searching for one. Happy fall to you!! Love your spooky Halloween decorations!! Kathy W
oxox
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! These silver trays have the prettiest details and paint up so nicely. Best of luck in your hunt for one! I am just about done decorating whew! XOXO
Cyndi says
I also remember this. Sooo pretty! (And I love your staging. ???? )
The mirror looks like it was meant to be that way. Gorgeous!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cyndi! I still have the mirror hanging in my office! XOXO
Marian says
Hi Christy,
What a beautiful tray! This would make a wonderful baby gift, with all of the baby necessities. I am going to do this. Thank you. Where may I buy the things needed for this project? I live in So. Calif.
Christy says
Thank you, Marian! It sure would make a wonderful baby gift! If you tap on any of the products I used that are highlighted in blue text in my post, you will be taken to that product in my Etsy shop. I usually ship same or next day. Or, you can look for a Dixie Belle retailer near you here: https://retailers.dixiebellepaint.com/ XOXO
Mariele says
This was such a cute makeover. But I’m so excited to see your Halloween decorations! I’ve been looking forward to them every year for years now. ???? ????
Christy says
Thank you, Mariele! I think I’m done decorating! It looks an awful lot like last year, but it was fun to see the new pumpkin arch going up again! XOXO
Michele M. says
I bought that pink and haven’t used it yet but I loooove it.
What a great way to spiffy up such a unique beautiful tray.
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! I love Conch as well as Tea Rose in the chalk line…almost identical. Hopefully, you’ll find a project to use it on! XOXO
Joan says
By the looks of that tray before, no amount of silver polish was going to make it presentable so paint was a good option. However, I’m old school and if silver plate can be restored, that is what I do with mine.
Christy says
This one wasn’t in great shape, but I do still love the look of polished silver too! XOXO
Lisa Elford says
What a beautiful tray makeover! You make it look so easy! I am going to hunt for a tray and try to achieve the same beauty. Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lisa! I love the details these trays have and they paint up so nicely! Good luck in your hunt! XOXO
p says
Such an elegant pink 🙂 Sooo pretty.
Details on that tray are gorgeous – and show up so well now.
Amazing how the paint brings out every detail. Great job !!
I do remember the frame. Definitely how it was meant to be !!
Christy says
Thank you, P! Yes, the paint and gilding wax are a great way to highlight all those pretty details! XOXO